Local judge sets bails at $75,000 each for two suspected heroin dealers

Written by George Browning

Wednesday, 26 September 2012 00:00

Two suspects involved in the alleged sale of heroin to undercover subjects are now scheduled for jury trials in January. When Brian A. Leep, 28, and Aaron L. Fisher, 30, both of Scottsburg, appeared on September 17 for their initial court hearings before Circuit Court Judge Roger Duvall, each man had a not guilty plea entered for him. Each is charged with a Class A felony of dealing in a Schedule 1 controlled substance. Leep also faces a Class A misdemeanor charge of possession of paraphernalia.
Scottsburg Patrolman Troy Ford explained in the probable cause affidavit he prepared that he met a confidential informant (CI) at 8:15 p.m. on September 14, and the pair went to meet Fisher at a designated site on York Road. Ptl. Ford said Fisher told them that “...he didn’t have enough for the sale...” but Fisher apparently offered to get more product. The officer and the CI took Fisher to his residence on Owen Street, where Fisher allegedly made a phone call. Fisher then rode a bike to his contact’s location. When he returned, Fisher sold them two small baggies of heroin for $80. Those baggies weighed .14 and .16 grams, officers found later. Upping the ante a bit, Ptl. Ford then told Fisher he needed more. They took him to North Meridian Street, the affidavit said. Fisher sent a text message, and Leep came out to meet them, inviting them into his residence. The men declined the invitation and waited outside while Leep apparently went back in and got more heroin, selling it for $80. In the transaction, Ptl. Ford noted that Fisher used one of the officer’s $50 bills with which the first buy of drugs was made. This baggie weighed .26 grams. Once that transaction took place, Deputy Jeremy Arnold assisted Ptl. Ford and Ptl. James Vires in arresting both Leep and Fisher. Another baggie of heroin was found in Fisher’s pocket. After the pair was transported to the Scott County Security Center, Sgt. Steven Herald and the other officers secured the Leep residence. Inside was a young woman and a small child. She allowed officers to search the premises. Found in the search were over $800 in cash, a baggie of heroin, three digital scales, Methadone pills and two glass pipes covered with methamphetamine residue. Cell phones were also confiscated because of texted transaction information they contained. The two men made the second exchange of drugs for money within 1,000 feet of Highland Elementary School, paperwork related. That’s why they are charged with the more serious, Class A felony. Leep and Fisher were each assigned a preliminary jury trial date of January 28. Public defenders were appointed for them, and bail is fixed at $75,000 corporate surety/full cash.